This was the first pu-erh I was brave enough to try, and it’s opened me up to a whole world of curiosity!

The first whiff of the dry leaves, while yummy, doesn’t necessarily have that musty earthiness. It’s all chocolate and orange and yum. But on deeper sniff, there’s something darker there. Something nifty.

It brews into a very dark tea, with a seriously rich scent. The first sips are again mostly orangey with a chocolate background. Like a delicious Terry’s orange. But as I let it cool, I start to notice what must surely be the pu-erh. Earthy is the right word. And it’s so perfect with the added flavours – each element plays in the cup by itself, but also blend together like… I don’t know. Words aren’t the point.

The point is, I like it. I love it! I will drink it all year round – Christmas tea or not!
And pu-erh – here I come!